AUS vs SA, Review | Australia ruin South Africa’s clean sweep hopes with massive win in third ODI
Australia beat South Africa by a huge margin of 276 runs in the third ODI in Mackay on Sunday. Travis Head set the tone with an incredible knock and Cooper Connolly stars with maiden five-wicket haul to ruin the Proteas' clean sweep hopes and register their biggest win in 50-over cricket.
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International career
Travis Head’s career in international cricket has seen many highs and lows. He started in 2016 with some struggles but worked hard to become a key player for Australia. Known for his aggressive batting, Head has proven his worth in several important matches. His performances in the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC Cricket World Cup have shown his ability to perform in big games. While his journey has not been easy, his recent form has made him a mainstay in the team. Over the years, Head has grown into a key player for Australia across formats and earned respect for his ability to play under pressure.
Head’s story is one of persistence, as he faced early challenges but continued to improve. He became an important part of the team, thanks to his hard work and impressive performances. Below is a look at his career, year by year, and the key moments that have helped shape his journey.
2016
- T20I Debut: 26 January 2016, Adelaide, against India – Scored just 2 runs.
- ODI Debut: 13 June 2016, Basseterre, against West Indies – Scored 1 run.
2017
- First ODI Century: Scored 128 runs off 137 balls against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.
2018
- Test Debut: 7 October 2018, Dubai, against Pakistan – Scored 72 runs in his second innings.
- First Year in Tests: Played 11 matches, scored 742 runs at an average of 49.47, including two centuries.
2019
- Limited Opportunities: After the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, Head played only 6 Test matches in the next two years.
2022
- Test Resurgence: Scored 655 runs in 10 matches, averaging 50.38, and secured his place in the Test team.
2023
- ICC World Test Championship Final: Scored 163 runs against India, and helped Australia win.
- ICC Cricket World Cup Final: Played a major role in Australia’s victory, named Player of the Match.
- ODI Success: Scored 570 runs in 3 innings with a strike rate of 133.11, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
2024
- T20I Achievements: Became the highest-ranked T20I batter in June 2024.
- Record Performance: Equaled the record for the fastest fifty in T20Is by an Australian (17 balls). Scored 80 off 25 balls in a series against Scotland.
- Player of the Series: In ODIs against England, Head scored 248 runs and took six wickets, earning the player of the series award.
Travis Head’s journey in cricket has been a mix of challenges and triumphs. He started his international career with some struggles but quickly turned things around with consistent performances. Today, he is a key player for Australia, known for his ability to perform in important matches and contribute when needed most.
Indian Premier League
Travis Head's time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen him play for several teams. His journey in the IPL started with limited chances but has grown stronger over time. As he moved from one team to another, his batting improved, and he began to make more of an impact. Below is a summary of his participation in the IPL from 2015 to 2025.
Year | Team | Auction Price | Matches Played | Runs Scored | Average | Strike Rate |
2015 | Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) | INR 30 lakhs | 0 | 0 | - | - |
2016 | Royal Challengers Bangalore (now RCB) | INR 50 lakhs | 2 | 38 | 19.00 | 120.00 |
2017 | Royal Challengers Bangalore (now RCB) | - | 2 | 45 | 22.50 | 139.62 |
2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | INR 6.80 crore | 15 | 567 | 40.50 | 191.55 |
2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | INR 14 crore | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
For the IPL 2025 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad kept Travis Head on their team. They retained him for INR 14 crore. If Head plays in IPL 2025, his batting will be essential for Sunrisers Hyderabad’s success.
Domestic career
Travis Head began his domestic cricket career with South Australia in the 2011–12 Sheffield Shield season. His debut was modest, scoring 12 and 21 runs. During that season, he played four matches and scored 219 runs at an average of 27.37. Despite a slow start, Head soon became a key player for South Australia.
In 2015, at just 21 years old, Head became the youngest captain of South Australia. Under his leadership, the team reached the Sheffield Shield final for the first time in 20 years.
Head started his List A career in 2013 in the Ryobi ODI Cup. His first innings did not go well, scoring only four runs against New South Wales. But his career in limited-overs cricket grew stronger over time.
As of 2025, Head has scored 10,789 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 40.10, including 22 centuries. In List A cricket, he has scored 5,445 runs at an average of 43.56 with 14 centuries.
There are discussions that Head could captain the Australian Test team in 2025 against Sri Lanka if Steve Smith’s elbow injury is not resolved. If that happens, Head would be the 48th player to captain Australia in Test cricket.
Records and achievements
Travis Head has gained recognition for his remarkable career achievements. Below are some of his major awards and records:
Awards:
- Australian Domestic Player of the Year (2022)
- ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year (2022, 2023)
- ICC Men’s Player of the Month (November 2023)
Records:
- 7th player to score a century in a World Cup final.
- 2nd Australian to score a century in a World Cup final.
- 5th player to open in both batting and bowling in a single match.
- 1st player to score a century in the ICC Test Championship Final.
Personal life
Travis Head was born on December 29, 1993, in Adelaide, South Australia. He has always loved cricket, a passion he developed early in life. Travis is the son of Simon and Ann Head. Though his parents stay out of the public eye, Travis has become well-known for his cricket achievements.
Family
Travis married his long-time girlfriend, Jessica Davies, in a small ceremony in Adelaide on April 15, 2023. They had been engaged since March 2021. In September 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Milla Paige Head. Jessica, an entrepreneur, runs several restaurants in Sydney and Canberra and has a strong presence on Instagram with 103K followers. After their wedding, Travis shared a message on Instagram and described how special it was to marry his best friend at home with close family and friends by their side.
Cars and House
In 2020, Travis bought a house in Adelaide for AUD 3.05 million. He also owns properties in Tennyson and Kidman Park. Some of his most expensive cars include a Porsche 911, Audi R8, and Range Rover, with values of AUD 1.99 million, AUD 2.30 million, and AUD 2.36 million, respectively. He reportedly owns more homes in Adelaide as of 2023.
Finance
As of 2024, Travis Head’s net worth is around INR 24 crores (USD 3.5 million). His income comes from playing cricket, brand deals, and his IPL contract.
Scandals
In December 2024, Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj were found guilty of breaching the cricket code of conduct after an on-field incident in Adelaide. The exchange happened when Head hit Siraj for a four and six. Siraj's celebration after dismissing Head led to a verbal argument between the two. The ICC plans to fine or warn both players instead of suspending them due to their clean records.
Fans
Travis Head has a loyal fanbase. His aggressive batting and leadership qualities have earned him praise from fans in Australia and worldwide. In 2024, he impressed fans with his performance against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and scored 62 runs off 24 balls. However, his performance in the IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders was criticized when he was dismissed without scoring.
Travis has around 700K followers on Instagram. In Australia, he is seen as a local hero, and his fans continue to support him both at home and abroad.
